NFL fans were left in raptures by an ‘incredible’ performance of the US national anthem ahead of the New York Giants‘ season opener.
The Giants faced divisional rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, in Week 1 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday night – just two days after the 25th anniversary of 9/11 was commemorated in New York.
The New York franchise honored the victims of the attacks with a touching pregame ceremony before a joint NYPD-FDNY quintet performed the Star-Spangled Banner.
The quintet, dressed in uniform, delivered a beautiful a cappella rendition of the national anthem.
The ‘gorgeous’ performance on an emotional occasion for the city of New York and the neighboring areas was praised by gushing fans on social media.
‘Goosebumps. Full body goosebumps. Absolutely gorgeous rendition of the National Anthem,’ one social media user wrote on X.
NFL fans were left in raptures by an ‘incredible’ performance of the US national anthem
The New York Giants held a pregame ceremony to honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks
‘Incredible national anthem. Well done, New York. Never forget,’ shared another.
A third said that they had ‘chills during that National Anthem.’
A fourth posted: ‘Nice job on the National Anthem. And the right people to do it. #SNF.’
‘Amazing National Anthem. God bless America,’ gushed a fifth, as another added: ‘Beautiful 9/11 tribute, National Anthem, and pregame festivities in NY.’
Before the national anthem was performed the Giants commemorated the 25th anniversary of the attacks on the Twin Towers.
The spectators inside MetLife Stadium remembered the victims of the attacks with a moment of silence.
During the stadium-wide remembrance, a photo montage, provided by season ticket members, of lives lost on 9/11 was displayed on the videoboards.
Two columns of light were illuminated in one endzone, replicating the image of the fallen towers into the night sky.
The Giants players took the field accompanied by a motorcade of police motorcycles
Players and coaches from both the Giants and the Cowboys wore commemorative t-shirts
Fireworks illuminate the sky above MetLife Stadium during the Star-Spanged Banner
Earlier in the evening, fans arriving at MetLife Stadium were welcomed by Ladder 343, a ceremonial FDNY firetruck named to honor the 343 members of the FDNY who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
Outside the gates of the stadium, The Tunnel to Towers Foundation also concluded their Steel Across America tour with an authentic steel beam from the World Trade Center displayed, creating a visible reminder of the resilience and unity that emerged in the aftermath of 9/11.
Players and coaches from both the Giants and the Cowboys wore commemorative NYPD, FDNY and PAPD pregame apparel, along with ‘Never Forget’ t-shirts.
Meanwhile, the Giants took the field led by New York City first responders, who formed a gauntlet for the team to run through.
Giants legends from the 2001 team, including Jessie Armstead, Tiki Barber, Kerry Collins and Jason Sehorn, joined uniformed first responders for the ‘Go Big Blue’ chant before kickoff.
